The Next Step - Life's Challenges

Chapter 5: All Odds Against Us

     I started to think about all the positives and negatives to having a baby at such a young age. As I'm exiting the room I hear Emily say something to Riley. I pretended like I didnt hear anything and closed the door behind me, I put my ear up to the door and eavesdropped on their conversation.

     "Ri, how are we going to help Michelle?" Emily asks.

     "I dunno... This whole situation is bad..." Riley replied. I could tell she was about to cry.

     "...This could ruin her dance career." Riley finished her statement. I completely forgot about dance. Emily should be healed in time for Nationals but by then I would be almost three months pregnant with the baby.

     I walk downstairs to find Eldon. He's sitting on the couch watching TV with James and Hunter.

     "Babe can I talk to you?...in private?" I ask him.

     "Ya sure, no problem." He replies. He gets up off the couch and grabs Hunter's keys.

     "Yo Hunter, alright if I take a spin?" Eldon asks.

     "Ya go for it! But if I find a scratch on my ride... I'll end you". Hunter replied jokingly, Eldon was still shaken by the threat.

     We went out side and climbed into Hunter's car. We pulled out of the driveway and drove about four blocks before stopping at a Tim Horton's, we found a spot and parked.

     Just as I was about to tell Eldon what was wrong an employee walked over to us. I thought he was going to ask us to leave but instead he handed us a bag.

     "This is yours right?" The employee asked.

     Eldon reads the receipt and nods.

     "Yup. Thank you." Eldon replied.

     "Not a problem sir. Come again!" The employee said as we pulled off.

     "Eldon?" I said.

     "What? It's free food, don't question it!" He laughed. I laughed too and bit into a bagel. We drove for a few more blocks and stopped at a park. We got out of the car and found a picnic table, we sat down and continued eating.

     "So what's up baby?" He asks.

     "Don't say baby" I mumbled.

     "Pardon me?" He asked.

     "Nothing, anyway... I uhm... We have... I'm kinda... You got me..." I stuttered. I can't get the words out.

     "it's okay... You can tell me." He says while holding my hand. He calms me down and I'm finally ready to speak up.

     "Eldon... Remember last night? how it was a blur and we couldn't remember anything?...I know what we did... I'm pregnant." I said. That statement barley made sense but I got the message across.

     I started crying. He came around to my side of the table and put his arm around me.

     "Hey, Hey don't worry. we'll get through this... Yeah it's gonna be hard but thats life, we will just come back two times harder." He said. He always knows how to make me feel better.

     "This is gonna affect our dance careers." He said.

     "What do you mean our dance careers?" I asked.

     "What are you kidding? I'm going to be by your side the whole way through... I'm taking time off dance." He replied.

     "You would sacrafice your dance career for me?!" I ask in shock.

     "Family first." He said as he winked and smiled at me. I can't believe this is actually happening. This is both the greatest and the worst moments of my life. Eldon practically just offered to spend the rest of his life with me.

     "Even with all the odds against us, I have a good feeling about this." he says. I'm still speachless because he just gave up his dance career for me. I just smile back

     We finish breakfast, get back into the car and head back to Emily's place.